BALLARAT PROCESSIONAL DRAGON

The Ballarat Processional Dragon is a late Qing dynasty (1644-1911) Chinese processional dragon, housed at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat. Dating from 1897, surviving elements of the dragon include the head, horns, tail and parts of the body being fabric scales. The dragon is accompanied by the pearl and teaser, and by a lion head, which are important ceremonial objects closely associated with the dragon’s function.  

The Ballarat Processional Dragon is of historical significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:

Criterion A
Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history.

Criterion B
Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history.

The Ballarat Processional Dragon is historically significant as the oldest surviving Chinese processional dragon in Victoria and Australia, as well as one of the oldest surviving examples in the world. The dragon, which was manufactured in southern China, was purchased by Ballarat’s Chinese community in 1897. He was paraded at important civic occasions, such as Ballarat’s celebration of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, and was displayed during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to the city in 1901. In Victoria, processional dragons were associated with Chinese communities’ involvement in fundraising efforts for charitable causes, and the Ballarat Processional Dragon was paraded as part of numerous fundraising events in Ballarat and elsewhere. He continued to be paraded until the 1960s. The Ballarat Processional Dragon is a testament to the importance of Chinese migration to Victoria, and the ongoing participation of the Chinese community in Victoria’s civic life, particularly in fundraising for charitable causes. The Ballarat Processional Dragon is an important demonstration of the continuation and adaptation of Chinese cultural practices within Victoria. [Criterion A]

The Ballarat Processional Dragon is significant as a rare surviving example of a late Qing dynasty Chinese processional dragon. Dragons are constructed of delicate and often organic materials. They are fragile and subject to damage and deterioration and unlikely to survive any length of time. Additionally, it is a traditional practice to destroy processional dragons once they have reached the end of their useful life. It is highly uncommon for a processional dragon of such an age to survive. [Criterion B]